
The Great Recovery
Hebrews 2
September 1, 2024
Jay Haugh
Jesus is greater in His person and His work.
Jesus is not a servant, He’s divine.
Jesus is greater than the angels as a son is greater than a servant.
Angels serve and protect, but only the Son can save!
The author first exalts Jesus and then warns against drifting away from Him.
A slow drift, given enough time, will carry you to a distant land and into dark uncharted waters.
Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. —Hebrews 2:1 ESV
For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, —Hebrews 2:2 ESV
how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, —Hebrews 2:3 ESV
while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. —Hebrews 2:4 ESV
This author gives warning lights to people who aren’t demonstrating their faith is genuine.
Behold our “Great Salvation.”
For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. —Hebrews 2:5 ESV
It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet. Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. —Hebrews 2:6-8 ESV
Psalm 8 shows human dignity, but also human frailty.
You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet. —Hebrews 2:7-8 ESV
Mankind is weak and fragile, but we are the climax and center of God’s creation.
Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. —Hebrews 2:8 ESV
The great recovery.
But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. —Hebrews 2:9 ESV
(1) Jesus’s incarnation.
(2) Jesus’s perfect life.
(3) Jesus’s substitutionary death.
For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. —Hebrews 2:10 ESV
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. —Hebrews 2:14-17 ESV
For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. —Hebrews 2:18 ESV
Jesus knows how to obey and submit Himself to the will of God, even when it’s painful.
Big Idea:
Don’t drift from Jesus who suffered and saved you from death and the Devil.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Memory Verse: Hebrews 1:1-2a NIV
Long ago in many ways and at many times God’s prophets spoke his message to our ancestors. But now at last, God sent his Son to bring his message to us.
The goal of these questions is to foster meaningful discussion and to encourage participants to reflect on God’s Word to lead to heart transformation. Feel free to modify or expand upon these questions based on the dynamics and needs of your Small Group.
Read Hebrews 2.
We are called to pay careful attention to what we have heard. This refers to the gospel of Jesus. How are you doing at being attentive to studying Scripture? Where do you want to improve? What are some positive habits you’ve built and how have they helped you?
Have you ever experienced drift in your spiritual walk? In order to determine we are drifting, we need to have a point of focus to tell us how far away we’ve gone. What is your focal point to help you discern how well you are staying close to Jesus? How can we fight against the current and prevent this gradual drift?
When connecting with others, what do you look for to determine if they have drifted? What restorative steps or exhortations would you give to someone who has drifted away from God or failed to pay attention to His Word?
How would you describe the great salvation we have in Christ? How can we share this with others and help them experience this great salvation? In a world where neglecting God’s message is common, how can we encourage others to heed His Word?
One way the message of Christ is validated is by the gifts of the Holy Spirit that have been distributed to believers. Have you ever taken a spiritual gifts assessment? If not, NCBC has one that you can take for free. Contact Ryan Eckhoff (ryan.eckhoff@ncbc.church) for more information. What are your spiritual gifts? How are you using them or how would you like to use them to glorify God? Is there anywhere you are feeling the Lord nudge you to step out of your comfort zone?
Jesus is not ashamed to call us His “brothers and sisters.” Are there ever times you choose not to identify with Jesus or His people? As you reflect on your heart’s motives in these instances, what is the root issue for you? How can this group help you stand with confidence in your faith in all situations?
Have you ever struggled with the fear of death? What does it mean for Jesus to “destroy him who has the power of death?” How does knowing that Jesus has overcome death help with the fear of death?
Reflect on a recent temptation you faced. How did you respond? If you responded well, what helped you have the strength to do the right thing? If you would have preferred to respond differently, what is something you will do differently next time? How does remembering that Jesus shared in our humanity help you when you are tempted? How can you lean on His strength more fully?